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As far as age groups go, older adults are more likely than their younger counterparts to report feeling generally happy. And what’s the secret to happiness? It boils down to embracing life as fully as possible each day.
The things that give our lives meaning change as we age. From childhood to young adulthood, what we can learn and how we grow our early callings and relationships offer meaning. In middle age, our family lives, careers, and community give us structure and purpose.
Now, you have the chance to create meaning in your life based less on caring for others and more on enjoying the people, activities, and experiences that speak to you on a personal level. One of the best ways to build that meaning is to develop consistent habits that grow your happiness.
Giving your life meaning through routines and habits that lead to happiness isn’t just a good idea because it’s enjoyable; it can also lengthen your life. Lives with daily purpose, where you spend time with neighbors and loved ones, help others, learn new skills, and enjoy hobbies and relaxing pursuits, are lives full of meaning and joy.
We’ve collected 7 important habits to incorporate into your daily routine to grow your happiness. Read on and consider how you can incorporate these happy-making habits into your life!
Physical exercise helps keep your body and brain healthy. Building balance and muscle strength helps you age more safely and comfortably, and weight-bearing exercise can also stave off osteoporosis. Exercise for flexibility can help you retain range of motion and stay more comfortable as you age.
Adding exercise to your day doesn’t have to be dull; exercise can be terrifically fun! Exercise classes bring together old and new friends to enjoy movement as a group, long walks with loved ones can bring about connection, and hobbies like dancing and gardening double as exercise while being extra rewarding because of the joy they bring.
One of the best parts of exercise is that just about anyone can do it, no matter their physical ability. Isometric exercises are particularly adaptable to any ability level, and they specifically help with strength, balance, and flexibility.
Consider, where can you fit exercise into your day?
Staying social is critical to happiness as you age. Extended families are an important part of communities, and their place in the world includes a lot of time with friends, family, and neighbors.
Sometimes, when you lose sight of purpose and meaning in your life, it can be easy to slip out of being sociable, and loneliness can be hard. If you can add social activities to your day, you can build a habit that leads to proven happiness for older adults.
Alongside family and time with friends, volunteering can be a great social opportunity for older adults. You’ve lived a full life and have so many wonderful skills and stories you can share with those around you. Volunteering in places that pique your interest and use your skills helps you find meaning in your day, and there’s a solid body of evidence showing volunteering keeps people happy, healthy, and socially connected.
Keeping your mind sharp as you age helps you sustain happiness in your life. Mental stimulation can help stave off the memory loss that can come with aging. It’s also worth engaging your mind as often as you can because a dull, boring life is a depressing one. Mental health is important as you age, and keeping your life lively through mental stimulation can help support your mental well-being as well as your memory.
There are many fun ways to add mental stimulation to your day, including:
We know that time in nature benefits people. But it might surprise you just how much time in nature can benefit you. You’re more likely to sleep better, you’ll maintain good mental health, and your mental sharpness can improve. You’ll experience less anxiety, and there is even a measurable increase in happiness in people who spend time in nature.
One of the best things about nature is it is so variable; there’s a natural space that will appeal to just about anyone. From golf courses filled with green to beautiful parks and nature preserves to small home gardens filled with flowers and sun-ripened vegetables to beach views and crashing waves, nature is available to appeal to anyone’s tastes.
How will you add time in nature to your day? You might enjoy leisurely strolls in a garden, brisk cycling in a park, or just sipping coffee in the morning at a table outdoors, enjoying fresh air with friends or family.
Food is more than just fuel; it’s something that feeds the body and soul. Delicious meals are a chance to connect with friends and family, creating warm memories. Meals are also a place to try new recipes or enjoy old favorites that bring back memories. Either way, you engage your mind as well as your senses.
Nourishing food is particularly important for maintaining your health as you age. Protecting your health with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, high quality breads and pastas, and plenty of heart-healthy oils like olive oil are integral to cultures in places like Italy, and that Mediterranean wisdom is spreading to the states as well.
Where could you add heart-healthy, highly nourishing foods to your daily meals?
We all have our unhealthy habits. Eating too many sweets, smoking, drinking lots of soda, staying up too late, spending all day in front of the TV, or skipping needed rest because of stress are all habits we pick up throughout adulthood.
While you might feel like quitting habits of a lifetime is impossible as you age, it’s actually a great time in your life to look for ways to make space for happiness by dropping habits that make you feel less than your best.
Can you replace too much sitting in front of the TV with an audiobook you listen to on a walk? Can you head to bed a little earlier so you can enjoy pursuits like golf or time with a friend because you’re well rested? Can you drop excess sweets for a special dessert you make with your grandchildren once a week?
Where can you fit the good into your life to help you drop the habits that aren’t making you happy?
“Health is wealth” is a saying for a reason. Your mental and physical health are essential to your happiness, and staying on top of your healthcare needs can help you sustain happiness longer in your life.
When you’re in pain, dealing with consistent health troubles, or struggling with your mental health, it can make it hard to embrace life each day. Consistently scheduling health checkups and appointments to address health problems means you’re consistently prioritizing yourself. You deserve to be a priority; it’s easier to find happiness in our life when you prove to yourself that you matter, and you’re worth care.
The Tuscan Gardens of Palm Coast community is focused on helping residents maintain healthy habits every day. Our signature experiences are carefully chosen to promote well-being, and the community culture is one of warmth, connection, and shared happiness for every resident.
If you or a loved one are looking for a senior living community that offers caring support that centers around joy and connection, we welcome you to come tour Tuscan Gardens of Palm Coast. Our team is ready to show you around, answering all your questions and helping you see how the Tuscan Gardens of Palm Coast senior living community offers a lifestyle of health and happiness for all!
Established in 2011, Tuscan Gardens of Palm Coast provides assisted living, Floreo, and memory care. It offers a vibrant lifestyle complete with Signature Dining, Signature Programs, and a Signature Experience grounded in celebrating family, culture, and heritage. Located in sunny Palm Coast, Tuscan Gardens of Palm Coast is a place your loved one can call home, with all of the comforts you would expect from a luxury senior living community in Florida.
